Tag Archives: Daniel Craig

Da Vinci’s Demons is not the first historically based drama on television today. It is however, one of the best. And now thanks to Starz and Anchor Bay, those that aren’t lucky enough to have Starz network can experience the first season of this hit series for themselves on DVD and Blu-ray. The first season of Da Vinci’s Demons is so entertaining first and foremost because of its clever writing. Unlike so many other historical dramas, this one is more centered on action and adventure than drama. It’s one part Indiana Jones and one part…well…Da Vinci’s Code tied into one. Audiences will also appreciate the work on the part of the show’s cast throughout all eight of Season One’s episodes. And of course what box set would be complete without at least some bonus features? The bonus features included in Da Vinci’s Demons Season One are relatively brief. But they play their own part in making the overall presentation of Season One enjoyable. These aspects taken into consideration, they work in tandem to make this debut season one that is a must see for any fan of historical dramas.

The most important element of Da Vinci’s Demons Season One is its writing. Credit where credit is due. Series creator and writer David S. Goyer (Man of Steel, The Dark Knight Trilogy, The Blade Trilogy) has crafted in the series’ first season that is a more akin to Indiana Jones than say Game of Thrones. It just used setting in question as the backdrop for all of the action. Goyer and his staff of writers are more than deserving of respect for balancing the story of his search for the “Book of Leaves” with his being wrapped up in the political and religious turmoil of the time. It would have been so easy for the two separate story lines to step on one another, especially considering the depth of each story line. Keeping in mind the depth of the story arcs throughout Season One, viewers will have to be fully invested in each episode in order to fully appreciate them. One cannot simply have any of Season One’s episodes playing while one does housework, etc. and expect to have a full appreciation for the writing. This is a good thing, too. It is good because in being fully invested in each episode, audiences will see the value of and originality in each episode and the first season overall.

The writing behind any TV show and movie is the backbone of each. It can make or break the given TV show or movie. By direct correlation, the work of the show’s cast makes the show even more of a joy to watch. Actor Tom Riley aptly fills the role of a young Leonardo Da Vinci opposite his equally talented cast mates. He shows his acting chops quite well with this subtle wit and control over his character’s deeper emotions. There are those actors that tend to ham it up on both ends of that spectrum. But Riley doesn’t do that. It makes him all the more fun to watch. He and his cast mates collectively make suspension of disbelief easy, too. This should come as no surprise considering the resumes of some of the main cast. The cast is comprised of rather well trained theater actors that are just as experienced in their craft as they are trained. Elliot Cowan (Lorenzo Medici) is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He also holds a degree in Drama from Birmingham University. He has starred in a number of major films including Alexander (2004) and The Golden Compass (2007). Viewers will recognize Gregg Chillin (Zoroaster) from his roles in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. And those that have seen Nanny McPhee Returns will likely recognize actor Eros Vlahos. Vlahos played Cyril Gray in that movie. He has also starred in none other than Game of Thrones as Lommy Greenhands. The collective resume of the cast of Da Vinci’s Demons goes on for quite some time. But one can tell from this microscopic look at that resume just why suspension of disbelief was so easy and why the cast gelled so well together. It’s one more aspect of the show that makes it such a surprise hit.

The casting and writing behind Da Vinci’s Demons are integral to the show’s success. Also noteworthy in this triple-disc box set is the bonus features. The primary bonus features included in the set take viewers into the recording studio, where the show’s soundtrack was recorded. Also included among the bonus features are the standard deleted scenes, and a look behind the scenes of the show. Each feature is a short vignette. But they do their own part to make the overall experience richer. Even more important to Season One is the inclusion of bonus commentary as well as the option to play each episode with a recap of the previous episodes. The recap is especially helpful regardless of whether or not one missed any of the episodes presented in this set. Even if a person has seen each episode, a recap helps remind viewers of what has already happened. Considering that each episode is just over an hour in length, it makes the recaps even more important an addition to each episode. It is the proverbial cherry on the sundae that makes Season One of Da Vinci’s Demons such a surprise hit. Along with the show’s writing and its acting, it makes this box set all the more worth picking up. It is available now in stores and online and can be ordered direct from Anchor Bay Entertainment’s website at http://www.anchorbayentertainment.com/detail.aspx?projectID=fd093f1f-88ae-e211-b6d4-d4ae527c3b65. More information on this and other releases from Anchor Bay Entertainment and Starz is available online at http://www.anchorbayentertainment.com and http://www.facebook.com/AnchorBay. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

There’s an old adage that states something to the effect of the third time is the charm. That adage has never been truer than in the case of Daniel Craig’s take on the revered Bond franchise. When Casino Royale first debuted, it was met with mixed reviews. That is because it came across more as a movie that was struggling to deal with the expectations placed on it by critics and the public. In trying so hard, it lost its identity, and became more of a melodrama than a classic Bond flick. Then came Quantum of Solace. The second of Craig’s Bond films wasn’t bad. It was just misunderstood. Its problem was that it was more a sequel to Casino Royale than its own standalone movie. Enter Skyfall. This is the Bond flick that fans have wanted from the very beginning. That’s even more the case now that this modern classic has been released on Blu-ray, DVD and digital.

Skyfall is the movie that long-time Bond fans have waited for since the release of Casino Royale. This movie is a throwback to the glory days of James Bond in every sense of the word. Right from the beginning of the movie, audiences are taken back in time with a classic Bond style opening credit sequence complete with musical number. This time the opening musical number is provided courtesy of pop star Adele who recently won a Golden Globe for her performance of the movie’s theme song. And go figure, she sings in the song’s chorus, “This is the end.” For those who haven’t seen Skyfall yet, this single line is far more prophetic than anyone could realize until the story’s surprise ending. In between the classic opening and the surprise ending, the rest of the movie is entirely classic style Bond, complete with a wild opening chase scene, and nonstop action throughout the story’s first two acts. The story’s final act is the only downside to the entire presentation. The buildup to the final confrontation between Bond and Silva drags on more than it really should have. But the story’s surprise epilogue makes that slow boil forgivable.

The meat and potatoes of Skyfall is classic James Bond in every sense of the phrase. The action is much the same as old school Bond flicks. And fans will thrill at the inclusion of a certain classic Bond car complete with ejector seat and guns in the headlights. Yes, that car. And then of course there is the classic Bond attitude on the part of Daniel Craig. Rather than being the finely trained killer/agent with emotional baggage that audiences came to know from the franchise’s previous efforts, what audiences get here is a mix of Pierce Brosnan and Sean Connery and his own attitude, too complete with the occasional semi-cheesy one-liners. Combined with the story’s non-stop action and the constant references to the Golden Days of Bond, Skyfall quickly becomes the first true definitive Bond film for this generation. All of these factors are discussed at length in the bonus features included in the movie’s brand new Blu-ray/DVD/Vudu combo pack. Everything from the action scenes to the new Bond girl to the gadgets and more are discussed in the combo pack’s bonus features. Those dicussions are made even more interesting with the inclusion of not one, but two separate audio commentaries that audiences can enjoy. Both commentaries add their own extra insight into everything that went into making the movie. For example, audiences will be surprised to discover that Craig himself took part in the movie’s initial train scene as it went through a tunnel. That wasn’t a stunt double. That was really Daniel Craig. How many stars today are so willing to do their own stunts next to one Jackie Chan. The commentaries offer so much more that audiences will enjoy as they watch this new home release themselves. Keeping all of this in mind, it goes without saying that just as this was one of the best movies of 2012 in theaters, it is now one of the best movies of 2013 in its home release. It is available in stores and online now and can be ordered online direct via the Fox online store at http://www.foxconnect.com/skyfall-14987.html.

1.The Artist: While it originally made its debut overseas in 2011, it wasn’t until January 20th of this year that The Artist actually made its nationwide debut in theaters across the U.S. Before then, only the lucky few at the big festivals got to see it. That being the case, it should be considered a 2012 release. So what makes it 2012’s best? So much could be said. At a time when so much of what Hollywood churns out is prequels, sequels, and remakes, this story—distributed by Sony Pictures—went the total opposite. How simple and ingenious is it to make a silent film in a movie of major flash-bang-boom films? Because the movie’s only sound is its music, viewers are forced to watch. And the cast was force to really put on its best possible performance, rather than rely on everything else that most movies use to distract audiences from poor performances. The music is quite enjoyable, too. And of course, the general cinematography is just as impressive. It all combines to make for a movie that any movie lover should see at least once.

2.Mirror, Mirror: Some of you might shake your heads at this pick. But the reality is that this is really a fun and family friendly movie. Both boys and girls will enjoy it as will parents. While young Lily Collins (the daughter of superstar Phil Collins) is billed as the lead star here, it’s the dwarves who are really the story’s stars. Their antics make for more than their share of laughs. Though watching Prince Alcott (Armie Hammer—The Lone Ranger) put under the evil queen’s puppy love spell is pretty funny, too. It’s obvious that this spoof of the classic fairy tale was aimed both at boys and girls. With its mix of wit and charm, it will always be one of the best takes on the old Snow White story.

Courtesy: Disney Studios

3. The Odd Life of Timothy Green: This is another truly enjoyable family movie. The general story is one to which any parent can relate and will enjoy because of that. Though the concept of what happens with Timothy might be a little bit tough to discuss with younger viewers. The beautiful backdrop adds even more warmth to the story. And the cast’s acting makes suspension of disbelief so easy. Sure it’s sappy, emotional, and all that jazz. But that can be forgiven as it’s such an original and heartwarming story.

Courtesy: 20th Century Fox

4. Skyfall: This is where things begin to get a little bit touchy. Skyfall is by far the best Bond flick to come along in a very long time. That’s not to say that the previous two were bad. But this one brought back memories of the old school James Bond that everybody knows. It’s got the gadgets and the humor and none of the melodrama that weighed down the previous two Bond flicks. The only downside to the movie is that it tends to drag in the final act. Other than that, it is a nice return to form for the Bond franchise and gives hope for any future Bond films….that is at least if Christopher Nolan doesn’t get his hands on the franchise.

Courtesy: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Video

5. The Avengers: The Avengers was a very nice way to cap off the build-up created by Marvel Studios with the recent bevy of comic book based movies. It had great special effects. Its story was simple and solid. And the shooting was equally impressive. Considering all the action going on, audiences weren’t left feeling dizzy to the point of wanting to walk out (or in the case of home release, just turn it off). But like so many ensemble cast movies, it suffered from a common problem. That problem was the movie’s run time. Most of the characters in The Avengers had already been introduced through their own separate movies. So there was no reason to re-introduce them all over again this time. A lot of that extra time could have been spared. Hopefully those involved have learned from that and will present viewers with a shorter movie in the second of the Avengers movies.

Courtesy: Warner Brothers Home Video

6. The Dark Knight Rises: I am just as much a comic book fan as anyone else out there. So it goes without saying that I was excited to see this movie. It did a good job of wrapping up the trilogy. The problem is that it did too much of a good job, as David Goyer and the Nolans tried too hard to cram everything into one movie. Word is that this latest installment of the Batman franchise left many people checking their watches when it was in theaters. It might have been better served to have been split up into at least one more movie because of everything added into the mix. And having what seems to be a lack of commentary on the new home release, fans can only guess what the logic was in cramming so much into one story. Much like The Avengers, the shooting and the special effects were great. So it has that going for it. But the writing was the story’s big problem. Here’s to hoping that whoever takes over the Batman franchise next (whenever it’s re-launched) won’t make the same mistake as Christopher Nolan and company.

Courtesy: 20th Century Fox

7. Prometheus: This semi-prequel to Ridley Scott’s hit Alien franchise was met with mixed reviews. There seemed to be no gray area here. Audiences either loved it or hated it. Truth be told, it worked quite well as both a prequel and as its very own stand-alone movie. Sure the special effects are different from those used in the original movies. But times are different. So viewers should take that into account. And the shooting was just as impressive. While it may not be as memorable as Scott’s previous works, at least audiences can agree that it’s better than the movies in the AvP franchise.

Courtesy: Universal Pictures

8. Les Miserables: This latest reboot of Victor Hugo’s classic story of love and redemption in one of history’s darkest eras is not bad. But it’s not great, either. Audiences who know the stage play will thrill at how director Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech) and his staff of writers paid tribute to the stage play both in its writing and its shooting. At the same time, Hooper tried so hard to pay tribute with his shooting style and the transitions that the whole movie felt dizzying to say the least. The shooting and transitions felt like nothing more than a bunch of cuts from one shot to the next. There was never a total sense of fluidity anywhere in the story. It was almost as if despite staying true to the stage play, the script for this latest big screen adaptation was written by someone with ADHD. Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway did a superior job with their performances. But despite that, odds are that the movie will sadly be remembered more for its flawed shooting and transitions than for its award-worthy performances. Nonetheless, it’s still a good movie for any fan of Les Miserables or for fans of musicals in general to see at least once.

9. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is without a doubt an original story. It’s next to impossible to find anything like it out there or present. But it suffers greatly from an identity crisis. It doesn’t know whether it wants to be a drama, a romance, or a little bit of both. It’s nice to see the simple message of something as simple as fishing being able to bring the world’s people together peacefully. But it really seemed to let the romance factor get too much involved. As a result, it got bogged down in itself. Had it not had the romance subplot, it might have been better.

Courtesy: Lionsgate

10. Arbitrage: It was once noted that three factors more than any other are the causes of crime. Those factors are: money, power, and sex. Arbitrage has all three of these. It’s an interesting movie. And it definitely wastes no time noting the latter of the trio of factors, as it lets audiences know that Robert Miller (Richard Gere) is having an affair with another woman. And also, Miller’s boss has a very firm talk with him early on letting him know that he knows about the financial inaccuracies that he’s causing. It doesn’t take long to know where this story goes. It’s something of a tried and true story. Add in this critic’s pet peeve of movies, the “whisper scenes” and it makes for a movie that as good as it is it could have been better. For those wondering, the “whisper scene” is exactly as it sounds (bad pun there). The “whisper scene” is one in which actors essentially whisper throughout the scene against overpowering music to make the scene more emotional and powerful. But put against the sudden transition to normal volume scenes (and above normal volume scenes), it becomes rather annoying as one has to constantly change the volume on one’s TV as a result of that. It’ll be interesting to see if it gets the Golden Globe for which it was nominated.

There you have it folks. That is my personalist of the year’s ten best major motion pictures. You are more than welcome to share whether you agree or disagree and what your top 10 list would look like. 2013’s already shaping up to be an interesting year. As the movies start to come out, I’ll have reviews of them, too. To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

There’s an old adage that states something to the effect of the third time is the charm. That adage has never been truer than in the case of Daniel Craig’s take on the revered Bond franchise. When Casino Royale first debuted, it was met with mixed reviews. That is because it came across more as a movie that was struggling to deal with the expectations placed on it by critics and the public. In trying so hard, it lost its identity, and became more of a melodrama than a classic Bond flick. Then came Quantum of Solace. The second of Craig’s Bond films wasn’t bad. It was just misunderstood. Its problem was that it was more a sequel to Casino Royale than its own standalone movie. Enter Skyfall. This is the Bond flick that fans have wanted from the very beginning.

Skyfall is the movie that long-time Bond fans have waited for since the release of Casino Royale. This movie is a throwback to the glory days of James Bond in every sense of the word. Right from the beginning of the movie, audiences are taken back in time with a classic Bond style opening credit sequence complete with musical number. This time the opening musical number is provided courtesy of pop star Adele. And go figure, she sings in the song’s chorus, “This is the end.” For those who haven’t seen Skyfall yet, this single line is far more prophetic than anyone could realize until the story’s surprise ending. In between the classic opening and the surprise ending, the rest of the movie is entirely classic style Bond, complete with a wild opening chase scene, and nonstop action throughout the story’s first two acts. The story’s final act is the only downside to the entire presentation. The buildup to the final confrontation between Bond and Silva drags on more than it really should have. But the story’s surprise epilogue makes that slow boil forgivable.

The meat and potatoes of Skyfall is classic James Bond in every sense of the phrase. The action is much the same as old school Bond flicks. And fans will thrill at the inclusion of a certain classic Bond car complete with ejector seat and guns in the headlights. Yes, that car. And then of course there is the classic Bond attitude on the part of Daniel Craig. Rather than being the finely trained killer/agent with emotional baggage that audiences came to know from the franchise’s previous efforts, what audiences get here is a mix of Pierce Brosnan and Sean Connery and his own attitude, too complete with the occasional semi-cheesy one-liners. Combined with the story’s non-stop action and the constant references to the Golden Days of Bond, Skyfall quickly becomes the first true definitive Bond film for this generation. Keeping that in mind, it also has made its argument for consideration to be one of the year’s top movies. With any luck, now that the people behind Skyfall have crafted a movie for ALL Bond fans, those same people will realize that “the end” is just the beginning for this Bond.

James Bond is returning to the big screen this Fall in the latest installment of the long running franchise. Skyfall hits theaters November 9th. In celebration and anticipation of the upcoming flick, History Channel and A&E Entertainment are re-releasing the 2007 special, “James Bond Gadgets.” The newly re-issued DVD will be available September 18th.

“James Bond Gadgets” takes viewers on a look at some of the most famous of the gadgets featured throughout the Bond franchise, proving just as with so much science fiction and fantasy that fact and fiction aren’t as far separated as some may think. The special episode of the network’s show, “Modern Marvels” shows that many of the gadgets used in the Bond movies actually do work in real life, believe it or not. It also shows that while some of Bond’s gadgets do actually work, some are still just science fiction. That aside, it doesn’t tarnish the glimmer of the gadgets by any means.

“James Bond Gadgets” opens with what is perhaps the greatest of all of the Bond gadgets. It opens with a look at the Bell Rocket Belt used in the 1965 James Bond flick, Thunderball. Audiences will learn in the special that believe it or not, the Bell Rocket Belt really does exist. And it really does work, too. The current owners of the rocket pack, Powerhouse Productions, Inc., put on a display for History Channel, showing that it still works to this day.

Another of the high flying gadgets used in the Bond franchise that really works is the “Little Nelly” autogyro. This helicopter looking flying device was invented and flown by Ken Wallis. Wallis actually flew the “Little Nelly” in the 1967 Bond flick, You Only Live Twice. What’s even more amazing is that Wallis shows that the machine guns in the “Little Nelly” do indeed work. Audiences will also learn in this segment that Wallis has built nineteen autogyros since 1961, only one of which apparently doesn’t work. In the years since he built his first autogyro, Wallis has even been approached by British police and military to use his autogryos to help them.

Along with the Bell Rocket Belt and the augtogyro, audiences are treated to a demonstration of the Q-Boat and the cars that have been featured throughout the Bond franchise during their stay at the National Motor Museum in the United Kingdom. The DVD also features a bonus segment featuring even more gadgets not included in the main segment as well as a bio on Bond author Ian Fleming. Seeing all of these really amazing vehicles and gadgets is great for any James Bond fan. But it’s not so much getting to see them actually put to use that makes “James Bond Gadgets” such fun to watch. What makes the DVD so enjoyable is seeing them put to use in combination with the history behind each one. Whether one is a movie buff, general James Bond fan or history lover, the stories behind the gadgets make seeing them come to life off the big screen that much more incredible.

Fans of the James Bond brand will get to check out this DVD next month. It will be available Tuesday, September 18th. It can be ordered online at http://shop.history.com.